Not sure if this is true or not, but no reason to doubt it.
I was told that SABENA used to have a policy that 1 in 4 sectors (on average) was to be completely hand flown. No autopilot, no authrottle, no flight directors. From take off to landing. Obviously didn't apply on long haul as that really isn't feasible.
Have to say the one ex sabenien that i had the pleasure of flying with was an excellent pilot both in manual and auto flight.